The big man, the servant leader and Kenyan elections 2017
Kenya is in a political season. Over the next 30 days (and beyond) we will be subjected to high drama, rhetoric, and political shenanigans. But the consistent image we will get of politicians is the big man (benefactor, master and Lord). This is the Modus Operandi of the campaign season. Let me sketch out a picture. The location is picked out by 'political strategists'. It is bedecked in the party colors. Massive sound systems are rigged to the grandiose stage (where the candidate will ascend as on to 'his' throne). The candidate will ride in with a motorcade comprising juggernauts sitting atop. Each vehicle follows the other in order of rank. Wearing matching party clothes with the candidates name imprinted on the chest, he will address the awed masses in party T-shirts, capes and waving banners with short, chilling messages. The TV cameras will cover every angle, including the sky cam, which will from time to time descend from heaven as if bringing the candidat...